Dental motor or coupling unit, and dental control unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a dental motor or coupling unit (10, 20), which is designed to be coupled to a dental instrument (100, 105) and comprises an electrical circuit arrangement which is connectable to a supply unit (110, 120) via a conductor pair (91). The circuit arrangement contains: a load (30), which is supplied with DC voltage or a low-frequency AC voltage via the conductor pair (91); a transmitting and receiving unit (40), which is designed to communicate by means of / via near-field communication and, for this purpose, to wirelessly transmit an HF communication signal transmitted via the conductor pair (91) or to couple it into the conductor pair (91); and coupling and separating elements (31, 41), which decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage from the HF communication signal.

Description

[0001] Dental motor or clutch unit and dental control unit

[0002] The present invention relates to a dental motor or coupling unit designed for coupling with a dental instrument and comprising an electrical circuit arrangement that can be connected to a power supply unit via a pair of conductors, wherein the circuit arrangement further includes a load that is supplied with direct current or a low-frequency alternating current via the pair of conductors. The present invention further relates to a dental control unit for operating a dental instrument.

[0003] Dental instruments, such as drill handpieces, are typically supplied with electricity and other media by upstream units to ultimately enable treatment using the instrument. A common configuration is shown in Figure 4, which depicts a dental instrument 100 powered by an electric motor. However, as will be explained in more detail below, the present invention also applies in the same way to so-called turbine handpieces, which are powered by compressed air.

[0004] These instruments 100 are generally designed to be relatively easy to clean and sterilize. This means that the instrument 100 itself typically does not contain any sensitive electronic components that could be damaged during such a reprocessing procedure. In particular, the electric motor intended to operate the dental drill is therefore usually not located within the instrument 100 itself, but in a separate unit 10, which can be detachably connected to the instrument 100. The electric motor within this motor unit 10 then generates the rotation required to operate the dental drill, which is transmitted to the instrument 100 and ultimately to the drill via suitable transmission elements.The coupling elements required for such a motor unit 10 are often also designed to transmit air and / or water, which can be used to clean or cool the area being worked by the drill. In the illustrated case, the motor unit 10 includes, in addition to the electric motor (not shown), a light source 30, in particular an LED light source, whose light is coupled into a light guide (not shown) running through the instrument 100. This light guide is designed such that light is emitted at the front end of the instrument 100, illuminating the area being worked by the drill. The positioning of the light source 30 in the motor unit 10 offers the advantage—analogous to the motor—of avoiding the risk of damage during cleaning or sterilization of the instrument 100.Furthermore, in this case no additional electrical connection contacts are required between motor unit 10 and instrument 100, so the design of the coupling elements can be simplified.

[0005] On the input side, the motor unit 10 is connected via a supply hose 80 to a unit that operates the motor or supplies it with power. This is typically the control unit of a dental treatment station 110, which enables the connection and power supply of various dental treatment or examination devices. Separate motor control units 120 are also known, as shown, which then supply a single motor instrument. In such cases, the supply hose 80, shown schematically, carries, in particular, lines (not shown) for the power supply of the motor of the motor unit 10. In the case of a turbine handpiece, the compressed air required to operate the turbine is transmitted via the hose 80 instead of the power supply for the motor.In addition, as shown in Figure 7, a pair of conductors 90 is also provided, via which the LED light source 30 is supplied with direct current or a low-frequency alternating current. Furthermore, lines for the transmission of air or water (not shown) can also run through the supply hose 80.

[0006] To ensure that the voltage supplied by the power supply unit 110 or the motor control unit 120 for operating the motor is matched to the instrument 100, it is often desirable to be able to identify the instrument 100, which can be detachably coupled to the motor unit 10. Since different instruments are operated at different speeds or torques, the behavior of the power supply unit 110 or the motor control unit 120 must be individually adapted to the currently used instrument 100. Therefore, ideally, the units involved should be able to automatically recognize the connected instrument 100. Various methods for this are known in the prior art, one of which involves equipping the instrument 100 with an identification element, e.g.,...to provide it in the form of a resistor, which is connected to a corresponding circuit capable of determining the resistance value and thus the type of instrument 100. However, a disadvantage of this variant is that it requires additional wiring and, in particular, plug connectors between motor unit 10 and instrument 100, which is difficult to implement due to the existing dimensions and is detrimental to reliability.

[0007] Furthermore, solutions are known from the prior art in which an NFC / RFID tag is arranged on or in the instrument 100 in the area of ​​the coupling, which can be read wirelessly. This NFC / RFID tag can also be used to log the use of the instrument as well as completed cleaning or reconditioning cycles. In this case, however, the positioning of a corresponding transmitter and receiver unit in the area of ​​the motor unit 10 is also required, which in turn must be connected to the actual power supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120 by means of additional cables in order to enable communication between the power supply unit 110 / motor control unit 120 and the NFC / RFID tag.

[0008] Wireless identification of dental instruments is described, for example, in US 2004 / 267297 Al or US 2021 / 298872 Al.

[0009] The present invention is based on the objective of providing improvements compared to the prior art, so that the connected dental instrument can be identified with the least possible effort, while at the same time ensuring a compact design of the units required to connect the instrument.

[0010] The problem is solved by a dental motor or coupling unit having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. As explained in connection with the prior art according to Figure 4, the unit for connecting the instrument generally always includes a corresponding load, in this case the LED light source, which is supplied with a DC voltage or a low-frequency AC voltage via a pair of conductors. According to the present invention, it is now provided to use these existing conductors to additionally imprint a high-frequency communication signal, which is used for communication with a corresponding transmitter and receiver unit of the dental instrument.This makes it possible to use these existing lines for an additional application without requiring additional contacts or similar components. To ensure that, on the one hand, the consumer is supplied with power in the usual and reliable manner, and on the other hand, that communication with the instrument is not impaired, integrated coupling and isolating elements are also provided for. These decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to power the consumer from the RF communication signal.

[0011] According to the present invention, a dental motor or coupling unit is proposed which is designed for coupling with a dental instrument, wherein the motor or coupling unit has an electrical circuit arrangement which can be connected to a supply unit via a pair of conductors and comprises:

[0012] • a consumer that is supplied with direct current or a low-frequency alternating current via the conductor pair,

[0013] • a transmitting and receiving unit which is designed as an antenna to communicate with another transmitting and receiving unit by means of / via near-field communication and for this purpose to wirelessly transmit an RF communication signal transmitted via the conductor pair or to couple an RF communication signal received from the other transmitting and receiving unit into the conductor pair,

[0014] • Coupling and isolating elements integrated into the circuit arrangement, which decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to power the consumer from the RF communication signal.

[0015] The coupling and isolating elements used according to the invention, which, as already explained, make it possible to use the lines originally used solely for supplying power to the load for other purposes as well, preferably include at least one capacitor connected in series with the transmitter and receiver unit. Furthermore, preferably at least one inductor is provided, which is connected in series with the load. The inductor prevents a short circuit or, more generally, interference with the RF signal used for communication by the load, while the capacitor prevents a short circuit of the DC signal. The series circuit consisting of the capacitor and the transmitter and receiver unit is preferably connected in parallel with the series circuit consisting of the inductor and the load.

[0016] The motor or clutch unit preferably has input-side supply connections via which the circuit arrangement can be connected to a supply line that connects the conductor pair to the supply unit. As already explained, the supply line can be formed by a supply hose, which leads, for example, from a dental treatment unit or a special motor control unit to the motor or clutch unit.

[0017] Preferably, the consumer and the transmitting and receiving unit are arranged on a common substrate, in particular on a common circuit board. This results in a particularly compact design. The consumer is preferably a light source, especially an LED, whose light is coupled into a light guide of the dental instrument. However, the consumer can also serve other purposes; for example, it would be conceivable that the consumer is a sensor, e.g., a reed switch, which automatically detects the removal of the instrument from a corresponding instrument holder in the supply unit or motor control unit.

[0018] The motor or coupling unit according to the invention preferably further comprises coupling elements for mechanical connection with the medical instrument, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit is arranged in the area of ​​the coupling elements in order to communicate wirelessly with a further transmitter and receiver unit provided in the instrument. This communication can then be used, as already explained, to read data from the instrument and thereby identify it, or, if necessary, to store corresponding information in an integrated memory element of the instrument.

[0019] Depending on the type of instrument, the coupling elements mentioned above can be designed to additionally transmit a drive medium such as electricity or compressed air, or to provide a mechanical movement, particularly a rotational movement, which is transmitted to the medical instrument connected to the motor or coupling unit. The motor or coupling unit can therefore be either a unit for operating so-called motor instruments, which are based on the use of an electric motor, or a unit for operating air-driven dental instruments. These air-driven dental instruments include, in particular, turbine instruments, in which a turbine integrated into the instrument is driven by compressed air, as well as so-called powder jet devices or pneumatically operated scaler devices.The coupling elements preferably have a coupling pin with channels running along its outer circumference, which are separated from each other by means of circumferential seals and correspond to corresponding channels or recesses in a coupling area of ​​the dental instrument, wherein the transfer of further media, for example air, water and / or spray water, is particularly preferably carried out via the channels.

[0020] The transmitter and receiver unit provided in the dental motor or clutch unit according to the invention can preferably be designed as a ring-shaped antenna. This allows for particularly good placement of the transmitter and receiver unit within the instrument, thus enabling reliable wireless communication. Furthermore, the motor or clutch unit can also include a separate transmitter and receiver unit, with both transmitter and receiver units of the motor or clutch unit then communicating wirelessly with each other. This can then be used, for example, to store information in a memory element provided in the motor or clutch unit, indicating, for example, the period of time or frequency of use of the motor or clutch unit.

[0021] The transmitter and receiver unit provided in the motor or clutch unit according to the invention serves, as explained, merely as an intermediate station to enable the desired communication between the instrument and the central power supply unit or motor control unit. The central control unit also accordingly has suitable means for communication, which in turn must be designed in such a way that they utilize the existing pair of conductors used to supply power to the consumer, while still ensuring reliable data transmission.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a dental control unit, in particular a treatment unit for operating a dental instrument, is therefore proposed, which has a motor or clutch unit as explained above, wherein the control unit can be connected to the motor or clutch unit via a line with a pair of conductors and wherein the control unit further comprises:

[0023] • a driver or evaluation circuit which supplies the consumer with DC voltage or a low-frequency AC voltage via the conductor pair,

[0024] • a near-field communication unit, which uses the conductor pair to send and receive RF communication signals, as well as

[0025] • Coupling and isolating elements that decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to power the consumer from the RF communication signal.

[0026] Analogous to the circuit arrangement provided in the motor or coupling unit according to the invention, the control unit preferably also includes coupling and isolating elements comprising at least one capacitor connected in series with the near-field communication unit, and preferably also at least one inductor connected in series with the driver. The driver for supplying power to the load can be configured to operate the load with variable power. In the case of a light source, the brightness or intensity of the emitted light can thus be influenced. Despite this, uninterrupted communication with the instrument is ensured without the need for additional wiring within the supply conduit and / or connections in the area of ​​the motor or coupling unit.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a motor unit according to the invention for operating a dental instrument;

[0028] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a coupling unit according to the invention, which is used to operate a dental turbine instrument;

[0029] Figure 3 shows an advantageous further development of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and

[0030] Figure 4 shows the supply of a dental instrument via a motor unit according to the state of the art.

[0031] The first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1, is based on the same configuration as the prior art example shown in Figure 4. A dental treatment instrument 100 is to be operated by a motor unit 10 and is detachably connected to the motor unit 10 for this purpose. An electric motor (not shown) located in the motor unit 10 generates a rotary motion, which is transmitted to the handpiece 100 via corresponding transmission components provided in the coupling area 18 of the motor unit 10, so that ultimately the bur located at the front end of the instrument 100 is set into rotation. This coupling area 18 is formed, in particular, by a coupling pin 19, which can be inserted into a corresponding receiving opening at the rear end of the instrument housing.As will be explained below, the coupling pin not only serves to transmit the motor rotation to the instrument 100, but can also be used to transfer media such as air or water.

[0032] On the input side, the motor unit 10 is connected to a supply hose 80, which is either detachably connected to the motor unit 10 or can also be an integral part of the motor unit 10 according to the invention and leads to a central supply unit. This can be the supply unit of a dental treatment station 110, as is widely known in the prior art. Such treatment stations 110 support the performance of various examinations and treatments and are often capable of operating very differently designed examination or treatment instruments. Alternatively, the supply can also be provided via a separate motor control unit 120, which is exclusively intended for operating a motor unit 10.These motor control units (120) are very compact compared to a dental treatment unit (110) and offer the advantage of being portable, allowing for versatile use in different locations. However, their ability to operate various types of instruments is very limited or nonexistent.

[0033] The main task of the supply unit 110 or the motor control unit 120 is to operate the electric motor provided in the motor unit 10 via electrical lines (not shown) running through the supply hose 80. More modern units offer the possibility of regulating the speed and / or torque of the motor so that the drill of the instrument 100 can be operated optimally for the respective intended treatments.

[0034] Along the supply hose 80, additional lines can often run, through which different fluids or media are transferred. These can include, for example, air, water, and / or spray water, which are used to clean or cool the area being treated with the instrument 100. These media are then conveyed to the instrument 100 by means of appropriate coupling elements, analogous to the rotational movement of the motor. For this purpose, channels are provided on the outer circumference of the aforementioned coupling pin 19, which are separated from each other by circumferential seals in the form of O-rings and correspond to corresponding channels or recesses in the coupling area of ​​the dental instrument 100. This ensures a reliable transfer of the media from the motor unit 10 to the dental instrument 100.

[0035] Finally, in the illustrated case, light is also emitted via the instrument 100 to illuminate the area to be examined or processed. The light source 30, which is in the form of an LED, is also positioned in the motor unit 10 such that it couples the light into the rear end of a light guide running inside the instrument 100. This then leads to a light output point provided at the front end, which is ideally designed so that the light is directed onto the front end of the drill bit or an area just in front of the drill bit tip. The light source 30 is also supplied by the power supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120, for which a control unit 111 is provided within the respective unit, which outputs a suitable DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage.This supply voltage is transmitted to the motor unit 10 via a pair of conductors 90 running inside the supply tube 80. The motor unit 10 has corresponding connection contacts 15 for this purpose, which are connected to a further pair of conductors 90 extending within the motor unit 10. The control unit 111 for supplying the light source 30 can optionally also be designed such that the transmitted power is variable, so that the brightness or intensity of the light emitted by the LED 30 can be adjusted.

[0036] The measures described so far were also included in the prior art solution shown in Figure 4. The new feature is that communication is now possible between the treatment instrument 100 and the supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120. This communication is intended, in particular, to read a storage element in the instrument 100 in the form of an NFC / RFID IC 102 (which is part of an NFC / RFID tag) and to update data stored in the NFC / RFID IC 102. Specifically, the NFC / RFID IC 102 can, for example, be used to store data identifying the instrument 100, enabling the supply unit 110 or the motor control unit 120 to automatically adjust the motor control to the correspondingly connected treatment instrument 100.Furthermore, information regarding the use of Instrument 100 can be stored in the tag, which helps to align necessary maintenance or repair measures with the actual usage of Instrument 100. Additionally, as mentioned, Instrument 100 can also communicate with Unit 200 for cleaning and maintenance in a similar manner.

[0037] To avoid the need for additional connections in the area of ​​the coupling between motor unit 10 and instrument 100, wireless signal transmission is provided at this point. Motor unit 10 and instrument 100 each have suitable transmitter and receiver units 40 and 101, respectively, which wirelessly transmit a high-frequency digital signal. This signal is provided by a corresponding transmitter and receiver unit 115 of the power supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120, or by the NFC / RFID IC 102 of instrument 100. This high-frequency signal is then sent to the respective transmitter and receiver unit 40 or 101.The signal is fed in via appropriate lines and then wirelessly transmitted via these units 40 and 101, which ultimately represent antennas, or, in the case of reception, coupled into the appropriate lines as an RF communication signal, as is already known from previous applications for near-field communication. In the case of antenna 101 of instrument 100, this then forms, together with the NFC / RFID IC 102, the NFC / RFID tag, which is usually supplied as a single unit.

[0038] The LED light source is located at the end region of the housing of the motor unit 10 facing the coupling pin 19 and is supplied with DC voltage via the previously described lines (not shown in detail). The antenna or transmitter and communication unit 40 is preferably also located in this region, as this ensures its proximity to the antenna 101 of the instrument 100 and thus reliable wireless NFC / RFID data transmission. This antenna 40 could, for example, be designed as a ring-shaped antenna positioned at the front end region of the housing. The use of a foil-like, and therefore very compact, antenna would also be conceivable.

[0039] According to the invention, it is now provided that no separate lines are used for transmitting the communication signal from the communication unit 115 of the supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120 to the transmitter and receiver unit 40 of the motor unit 10. Instead, the existing lines 90 and 91, which are used to supply power to the light source 30, are used. As explained above, the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage provided by unit 111 is initially transmitted via these lines to operate the light source 30. However, according to the present invention, the RF communication signal, which is transmitted in parallel with the supply voltage for the LED 30, is also additionally superimposed on these lines.Ultimately, this measure eliminates the need for additional cables via the supply hose 80 and also removes the requirement for additional connections on the input side of the motor unit 10. Despite this, the functionality of the system can be expanded, and the desired communication between instrument 100 and the supply or motor control unit 110, 120 can be enabled. However, to ensure that the various signals (supply voltage for LED 30 on the one hand and RF communication signal on the other) do not interfere with each other, additional measures are provided according to the invention to ensure reliable operation and uninterrupted signal transmission.This involves in particular the use of suitable electronic coupling and isolating elements, with the help of which the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to power the LED 30 is decoupled from the RF communication signal.

[0040] In the motor unit 10, an inductor 31 is connected in series with the LED 30. This inductor 31, or choke, prevents a short circuit or demodulation of the RF signal by the LED 30, while still allowing the unimpeded transmission of the direct current or low-frequency alternating current used to operate the LED 30. Similarly, a capacitor 41 is connected in series with the antenna or transmitter / receiver unit 40 of the motor unit 10. This capacitor acts as a coupling element for the RF signal, thus transmitting it to the antenna essentially unchanged, while simultaneously forming an isolating element for the direct current signal or, more generally, a low-frequency alternating voltage.

[0041] The series circuits consisting of LED 30 and inductor 31 or antenna 40 and coupling capacitor 41 are connected in parallel, thus ensuring that only the intended signal is transmitted to the LED 30 and the transmitter / receiver unit 40. Depending on the configuration of the transmitter / receiver unit 40 intended for communication with the NFC / RFID IC 102, a capacitor 42 may be connected in parallel, as shown in Figure 1, to achieve any necessary RF matching. The inductor 31 and the capacitor 41 mentioned above are responsible for decoupling the two signals according to the invention.

[0042] Similarly, a corresponding decoupling of the signal transmitted via the conductor pair 90 or 91 must also take place in the area of ​​the power supply unit 110 or the motor control unit 120. Accordingly, an inductor 112 is connected in series with the control unit 111 to operate the LED 30. A capacitor 116 is arranged in series with the communication unit 115, whereby the function of inductor 112 and capacitor 116 is the same as that of inductor 31 and capacitor 41 of the motor unit 10.

[0043] Ultimately, according to the present invention, a consumer - here the LED 30 - of the motor unit 10 is supplied with current and furthermore communication between instrument 100 and supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120 is enabled, whereby only a single pair of conductors is used to transmit the corresponding signals, so that the design and space requirement in particular of the motor unit 10 is simplified and reduced.

[0044] In a further development of the concept described so far, it can be provided that the motor unit 10 also has a storage element 12 in the form of an NFC / RFID IC, with the help of which relevant data can be stored and, if necessary, updated. This additional NFC / RFID IC 12 is then in turn coupled to an antenna 11, which enables near-field communication with the (primary) transmitting and receiving unit 40, so that the desired data exchange can take place between the further NFC / RFID tag formed by the NFC / RFID IC 12 and the antenna 11 and the transmitting and receiving unit 115 of the power supply unit or motor control unit 110 or 120.

[0045] The described solution is not limited to dental handpieces 100 that are operated by means of an electric motor. Similarly, the concept according to the invention can also be used, for example, with so-called turbine handpieces 105, as shown in Figure 2. Naturally, the coupling unit described below can also be used generally for operating air-operated dental instruments, such as powder jet devices or pneumatically operated tartar removal devices.

[0046] Instead of the motor unit 10 with an integrated electric motor, a coupling unit 20 is now provided, which in turn is connected to the supply unit 110 of the dental treatment station via the supply hose 80. This connection can be fixed or detachable. To operate the instrument 105, a variable compressed air supply is now provided by the treatment station (not shown in detail). This compressed air is conveyed via the supply hose 80 to the coupling unit 20 and supplied to the turbine handpiece 105 by means of suitable coupling elements 28. This is already well known in the prior art. In this case, the compressed air replaces the electricity supplied by the supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120 in Figure 1 for operating the electric motor.

[0047] Analogous to the motor unit 10, the coupling elements 28 in this case also comprise a coupling pin 29, which extends in the axial direction and onto which the dental instrument 105 is placed for coupling with the coupling unit 20. The coupling pin 29 enables a tool-free, quick connection with the instrument 105, and its design allows the instrument 105 to be freely rotated about a central axis relative to it. Channels running along the outer circumference of the coupling pin 29, separated from each other by circumferential seals and corresponding to channels or recesses in the coupling area of ​​the dental instrument 105, ensure that, regardless of the rotational position of the instrument 105, the transfer of media from the coupling unit 20 to the dental instrument 105 is unimpeded.in the case of backflow from the dental instrument 105 to the coupling unit 20.

[0048] In this case as well, the coupling unit 20 is provided with a light source 30, the light from which is transmitted to the turbine instrument 105 to illuminate the area to be treated. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the LED 30 is supplied by a corresponding, ideally variable, voltage source 111 of the power supply unit 110. The supply voltage is provided via a pair of conductors 90 running in the supply tube 80, which is connected via corresponding electrical connections 25 of the coupling unit 20 to a pair of conductors 91 leading internally to the LED 30. Furthermore, the turbine handpiece 105 again has an NFC / RFID IC 107, which is intended to communicate with the communication unit 115 of the power supply unit and is coupled to an antenna 106 that communicates wirelessly with a corresponding transmitter and receiver unit 40 of the coupling unit 20.

[0049] As in the first embodiment, the existing conductor pairs 90, 91 of the supply hose 80 and the circuit arrangement for operating the LED 30 within the coupling unit 20 are used to transmit the RF communication signal in parallel with the supply current for the LED 30. Again, decoupling of the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage and the RF signal is necessary, which is achieved in this case as well by means of the inductor 31 and the capacitor 41. These are coupled to the LED 30 and the transmitter and receiver unit 40 in the same manner as in the embodiment according to Figure 1, i.e., connected in series, with the resulting series circuits being connected in parallel to each other.Since decoupling between DC voltage and high-frequency signal takes place within the supply unit 110 in an analogous manner with the help of the inductor 112 and the capacitor 116, the existing lines can again be used additionally and without interference for supplementary communication.

[0050] Figure 3 shows, as a further development of the inventive concept depicted in Figure 1, an additional measure that may optionally be provided on the dental instrument 100. This would allow the RF communication signal, which is wirelessly transmitted to the transmitter and receiver unit 101 of the instrument 100, to also be used to supply an additional load 103 located within the instrument 100. As shown in Figure 3, this additional load 103, which may, for example, be another light source, is connected in parallel to the NFC / RFID IC 102 and is designed such that it does not interfere with the data exchange between the NFC / RFID IC 102 and the communication unit 115 of the power supply unit 110 or motor control unit 120. The connection of the load 103 to the internal circuitry of the instrument 100 is achieved via a suitable coupling element, in the illustrated case via a rectifier 104.

[0051] It should be noted that instead of the LED shown in the exemplary embodiments, another load with the associated wiring could also be used in accordance with the invention. For example, it would be conceivable to supply power to a sensor via the wiring, which could then detect when the instrument is removed from a corresponding compartment in the power supply unit or the motor control unit. It is known from the prior art to use reed switches or similar sensors for this purpose.In this case, the LED driver is replaced by an evaluation logic located in the power supply unit or the motor control unit. This logic is connected to the sensor via the conductor pair in an analogous manner, but is decoupled from the RF communication by the coupling and isolating elements described in the invention. This ensures that both the removal of the instrument from the tray and the NFC / RFID communication can proceed without interference. Regarding the power supply unit, it should be noted that in the case of a dental treatment station, it is typically designed so that the power supply unit can supply several instruments. In this case, it is advantageous if a corresponding switching matrix (preferably a relay switching matrix) or a multiplexer is provided within the power supply unit, which can selectively control the different instruments as needed.The communication unit 115 of the supply unit 110, as shown in the figures, can therefore be provided only once in this case, but can be used for the various instruments by appropriately controlling the relay switching matrix. In this case, no multiple communication units are required and no additional switches are needed.

Claims

Claims 1. Dental motor or coupling unit (10, 20) designed for coupling with a dental instrument (100, 105), wherein the motor or coupling unit (10, 20) has an electrical circuit arrangement which can be connected to a supply unit (110, 120) via a pair of conductors (91) and comprises: • a consumer (30) that is supplied with direct current or a low-frequency alternating current via the conductor pair (91), • a transmitting and receiving unit (40) which is designed as an antenna to communicate with another transmitting and receiving unit (11, 101, 106) by means of / via near-field communication and for this purpose to wirelessly transmit an RF communication signal transmitted via the conductor pair (91) or to couple an RF communication signal received from the other transmitting and receiving unit (11, 101, 106) into the conductor pair (91), • Coupling and isolating elements (31, 41) integrated into the circuit arrangement, which decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to supply power to the consumer (30) from the RF communication signal.

2. Dental motor or coupling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling and isolating elements have at least one capacitor (41) which is connected in series with the transmitting and receiving unit (40).

3. Dental motor or coupling unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling and isolating elements have at least one inductor (31) which is connected in series with the consumer.

4. Dental motor or clutch unit according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the series circuit of capacitor (41) and transmitter and receiver unit (40) is connected in parallel to the series circuit of inductor (31) and consumer (30).

5. Dental motor or clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor or clutch unit (10, 20) has input-side supply connections (15, 25) via which the circuit arrangement can be connected or is connected to a supply line (80) which connects the conductor pair (91) to the supply unit (110, 120).

6. Dental motor or clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumer (30) and the transmitting and receiving unit (40) are arranged on a common carrier, in particular on a common circuit board.

7. Dental motor or clutch unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumer (30) is formed by a light source, in particular an LED, or by a sensor, in particular a reed switch.

8. Dental motor or coupling unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor or coupling unit (10, 20) has coupling elements (18, 28) for mechanical connection with the medical instrument (100, 105), wherein the transmitter and receiver unit (40) is arranged in the area of ​​the coupling elements (18, 28) in order to communicate wirelessly with a further transmitter and receiver unit (101, 106) provided in the medical instrument (100, 105).

9. Dental motor or coupling unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the coupling elements (18, 28) are configured to transmit a) a drive medium such as electricity or compressed air or b) a mechanical movement, in particular a rotational movement, to the medical instrument (100, 105) connected to the motor or coupling unit (10, 20), wherein the coupling elements (18, 29) preferably have a coupling pin (19, 29) on the outer circumference of which channels extend and are separated from each other by means of circumferential seals. are separated and correspond to corresponding channels or recesses in a coupling area of ​​the dental instrument (100, 105), whereby the transfer of further media, for example air, water and / or spray water, is particularly preferably carried out via the channels.

10. Dental motor or clutch unit according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving unit (40) is designed as a ring-shaped antenna.

11. Dental motor or coupling unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor or coupling unit (10, 20) has a further transmitting and receiving unit (11) separate from the transmitting and receiving unit (40), wherein both transmitting and receiving units communicate wirelessly with each other.

12. Dental control unit (110, 120), in particular treatment unit (110) for operating a dental instrument (100, 105), comprising a motor or coupling unit (10, 20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (110, 120) is connectable to the motor or coupling unit (10, 20) via a line (80) with a conductor pair (90), and wherein the control unit (110, 120) comprises: • a driver (111) or an evaluation circuit which supplies the consumer (30) with DC voltage or a low-frequency AC voltage via the conductor pair (90), • a near-field communication unit (115) which uses the conductor pair (90) for sending and receiving RF communication signals, as well as • Coupling and isolating elements (112, 116) which decouple the DC voltage or low-frequency AC voltage used to power the load (30) from the RF communication signal.

13. Control unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the coupling and isolating elements have at least one capacitor (116) which is connected in series with the near field communication unit (115).

14. Control unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the coupling and isolating elements have at least one inductor (112) which is connected in series with the driver (111).

15. Control unit according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the driver (111) is configured to operate the consumer (30) with a variable power.

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